Many different kinds of people meet with
Jesus in the course of John’s gospel. In this morning’s gospel reading, Nicodemus
comes to Jesus by night. He was a Pharisee, a member of that group who are
consistently hostile to Jesus in John’s gospel. Yet, here was a Pharisee who
stood out somewhat from his peers. He was attracted by Jesus, and he allowed
himself to be drawn to Jesus, even though it meant going against the prevailing
current. His first approach to Jesus is tentative, coming to Jesus under cover
of darkness. His last appearance in John’s gospel is much less tentative; along
with Joseph of Arimathea, he sees to it that Jesus is given a dignified burial.
Nicodemus journeyed closer to Jesus in the course of the gospel of John. His
story encourages us to make progress in our own relationship with Jesus, even
when that means going against the prevailing tide. Even if our relationship
with the Lord seems tentative at times, Nicodemus encourages us to believe that
it can become less so. Jesus’ words to Nicodemus in this morning’s gospel
reading remind us, however, that our growing towards the Lord is not just our
own doing; it is ultimately the work of the Spirit in our lives. Jesus declares
that we need to be born of the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God. As a sailing
boat needs the wind, we need the Spirit at our back if we are to make our way
towards the Lord. That Spirit is available to us all. The season of Easter is a
good time to invite the Spirit afresh into our lives • AE
En la oscuridad de la noche se acerca a
Jesús un hombre llamado Nicodemo, en su saludo da muestras de reconocimiento
pues le llama maestro, sin embargo, la respuesta de Jesús sorprende. El
conocimiento que Jesús tiene de las intenciones humanas le permite poner en
evidencia las intenciones de sus interlocutores. Nicodemo reconoce los
evidentes prodigios divinos que acompañan a los hombres de Dios. Jesús, por el
contrario, considera que la única señal divina es la conversión, el cambio de
mentalidad, como condición para poder percibir el reino de Dios. La respuesta
de Nicodemo sorprende aún más: la historia de cualquier ser humano es incambiable.
El hombre y la mujer están irremediablemente sumergidos en una mentalidad
fijada por las condiciones sociales, la educación y la historia individual.
Para cambiar algo de esto sería necesario renacer en el vientre materno y
comenzar una historia diferente. Par Jesús nacer de nuevo es abandonar al ser
humano viejo, es ser como el viento, y al final, como el Espíritu: vivir en
constante movimiento • AE
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